Cricklewood freight 'super hub' plan branded 'atrocious' by Brent London Assembly member

Plans to transform Cricklewood Railway Yard into a freight "super hub" have been branded "atrocious" by Brent and Harrow London Assembly member (AM) Navin Shah.

A joint planning application made by Barnet Council and rail freight firm DB Cargo last month outlines plans to transform the land opposite the bus depot on Edgware Road into a building materials and waste management hub.

The Railway Yard at 400 Edgware Road would be used to transport and store construction materials by rail and store waste from building sites.

Mr Shah has called for Barnet Council to throw out the plans on environmental grounds.

Brent neighbourhood news

He said: "There are existing problems faced by Brent residents with noise, dust and pollution without adding to the amount of waste processed in the area.

"It is therefore completely unacceptable for any concrete batching, cement, or asphalt companies or any other dirty businesses be allowed to operate on the site.

"The additional HGVs attending the site will cause yet more traffic, congestion, noise and pollution in an area where these levels are already appalling."

This is what the development could look like (Image: Barnet Council)

If the plans for the site go ahead, the number of HGVs travelling to and from the area are expected to rise to 800 a day - a move that Mr Shah described as "atrocious".

Waste disposal firm P.B Donoghue runs a nearby site in Claremont Road, which residents say they are already opposed to because of dirt and pollution it brings to the area.

The area of land opposite Cricklewood Bus Depot is owned by National Rail and leased by DB Cargo who have a 125 year lease.

The application sets out plans to use the site for "stockpile areas each containing 10 storage bins" and to install wheel wash facilities, a dust suppression system, drainage and parking for HGVs and cars.

'Public consultation'

A spokesman for Barnet Council said: "On September 19, the planning committee deferred a decision on DB Cargo Ltd’s application for temporary planning permission for an aggregate transfer facility.

"The application proposes the use of the site for 18 months for delivery of aggregate by train, unloading the material into covered stockpiles and then loading the material on to vehicles for onward transport via road.

"A separate planning application for a permanent aggregate transfer rail freight facility on the same site as part of the Brent Cross Cricklewood regeneration, has also been submitted and is currently out for public consultation."

The planning application sets out the following:

Use of railway land for the transportation of aggregates and non-putrescible waste (construction) by rail
Dismantling and removal of lighting tower; levelling of site and provision of landscape bund
Open stockpile areas each containing 10 storage bins
Partially enclosed stockpile areas each containing 10 storage bins, acoustic and perimeter fencing
CCTV, security hut, welfare hut, a weighbridge
Wheel wash facilities, dust suppression system, drainage
Parking for HGVs and cars, traverser road, replacement rail track sidings
Continued use of existing building for staff and welfare facilities
Other infrastructure and ancillary works including alterations to the existing access to Edgware Road
Provision of new landscaping

The planning application can be viewed here and is open to public comments until October 18.